You are viewing your 1 free article this month. Login to read more articles.
Bestselling crime writer Ann Cleeves has become patron of the Crediton Community Bookshop.
The community bookshop opened in 2013 with an emphasis on finding creative ways to support community projects and a mission to encourage thriving communities and nurture a love of books and reading.
The announcement cements the relationship between the Devon bookshop and Ann Cleeves who grew up in Devon where her latest bestseller The Long Call is also set. In June this year CWA Gold Dagger-winning novel Raven Black, was selected for Crediton’s first ever ‘Big Town Read’. Hundreds of copies of the novel donated by Pan Macmillan, were distributed through ‘pick up stations’ in the town to encourage locals to come together in their love of reading. The campaign culminated in a sell-out event at Crediton Library with Cleeves in the lead up to Independent Bookshop Week.
Cleeves said: "How brilliant that a community cares so much about about reading and creativity that they came together to form a bookshop in this way. I’m delighted and honoured to be patron of Crediton Community Bookshop.”
Dee Lalljee, manager of the Crediton Community Bookshop added: “We are absolutely delighted to have Ann Cleeves become a patron of the Crediton Community Bookshop. It was a joy to work with her during our summer festival this year, to introduce her to hundreds of her fans and many enthusiastic new readers. Thank you to Pan Macmillan for enabling us to run a hugely innovative and successful community project.”
The announcement of Cleeves’ patronage comes on the eve of Bookshop Day which takes place on Saturday 5th October. The nationwide campaign was launched in 2013 by the Booksellers Association to celebrate and support high street bookshops.